Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamic terrorist organization that operates primarily in Gaza and the West Bank, with holdings in Arab countries throughout the Middle East.

Hamas was an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood political movement, and was established in 1987 in the wake of the First Intifada. According to Hamas’s charter, the organization was established to liberate Palestine from Israel in order to establish an Islamic state. It holds aspirations on all territory between the Mediterranean seas and the Jordan river, and refuses to acknowledge Israel in any capacity.

The group has a military wing, known as the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas has used a wide range of tactics, but it does not discriminate in its targets, and often targets civilians. It is recognized by most Western states as a terrorist organization. Hamas has engaged in a number of military confrontations with Israel. Its military wing has employed tactics such as suicide bombings, rocket attacks, kidnapping attempts, and tunnel infiltrations against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

In 2006, the Palestinians held legislative elections in Gaza, but when Hamas won, there was a civil war, and Hamas seized full control of the Strip. Under Hamas, Gaza has been in a longstanding state of conflict with Israel. From the 2005 Israeli disengagement onwards, Hamas has continued to commit terrorist attacks against Israelis from Gaza, and several operations have been fought to quell Hamas attacks, including 2008's Cast Lead, 2011's Pillar of Defense, 2014's Protective Edge, 2021's Guardian of the Walls, and 2024's Operation Swords of Iron.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists carried out an unprecedented invasion of southern Israel under the cover of widespread rocket-fire, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping hundreds to serve as hostages in Gaza. This started the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, which has seen the IDF carry out numerous strikes in Gaza and carrying out a ground invasion to wipe the terrorist group out.

In the year since, the IDF has managed to take out most of Hamas's leadership, including Saleh al-Arouri, Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar, and Ismail Haniyeh.

Not calling Hamas terrorists in Nakba exhibit was ‘error,’ says Canada’s heritage minister

Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller stated that "not identifying Hamas as a terrorist organization is... a failure" and called for the alleged "error in curation" to be rectified.

JUNE 30, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

(Illustrative) Palestinian members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, May 10, 2026.

Anti-Hamas protests go unanswered, leaders defend IDF Chief of Staff from haredi protest incitement

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

JUNE 30, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN Danny Danon speaks at a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at the UN headquarters in New York City, US on February 28, 2026.

Danon challenges UN with images of UNRWA staff, 'journalists' tied to terror in Gaza, Hamas

Among the terrorists shown off by Danon were Ahmed Samir Muhammad Washah, Mohamed Naser Abu Huwaidi, and Mohammad Abu Itiwi.

JUNE 30, 2026|ByTZVI JASPER

[ILLUSTRATIVE]Palestinians protest to demand an end to war, chanting anti-Hamas slogans, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 26, 2025.

Protests, revolution in Strip cannot succeed while Hamas remains in control, Gazans tell 'Post'

“No one can imagine the level of fear and intimidation Hamas has instilled in people’s hearts since its foundation in 1987,” said one Palestinian from Gaza City.

JUNE 30, 2026|ByDANA BEN-SHIMON

IDF will continue its mission to disarm Hamas, military chief Zamir tells soldiers in Gaza Strip

At the start of a government meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also discussed the Gaza Strip, announcing that Israel currently holds 60% of its territory, and "will soon reach 70%.

JUNE 7, 2026ByTZVI JASPER

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, conducted a tour of the field in the Gaza Strip

Bankrupt Iran’s regime before it bankrolls more terror - opinion

The path forward is simple: maximum pressure, maximum sanctions, and maximum economic isolation until the regime can no longer finance its agenda of terrorism.

JUNE 7, 2026ByMIKE EVANS

The Palestinian Authority is not Hamas's rival – it's part of the same ecosystem - analysis

A proposed postwar vision for Gaza risks repeating old mistakes by misreading the relationship between Qatar, Hamas, and the PA

JUNE 7, 2026ByARIEL ADMONI, SAGIV STEINBERG

A member of the PA security forces stands guard in the West Bank, as debate grows over the PA’s future role in postwar Gaza.

Premium

IDF, Shin Bet kill Hamas Nukhba commander who led infiltration into Kissufim during Oct. 7 massacre

Overnight on Saturday, the IDF killed an additional Hamas terror commander, Muhanad Othman Yassin Farwana, in southern Gaza.

JUNE 7, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

IDF soldiers operating in the Gaza Strip, August 1, 2025.

Two IDF soldiers killed, as US to make Iranian assets available for repairs in Gulf states

Trump says Iran military 'totally destroyed' • Two IDF officers severely wounded in Lebanon • Missiles launched towards Kuwait, Bahrain

JUNE 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

SMOKE BILLOWS from southern Lebanon, following Israeli strikes, as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon, June 4, 2026.

October 7 shows the cost of Israel leaving the Palestinian issue unresolved - opinion

Hamas sought endless war and division; the tragedy is that its strategy has worked on both Israelis and Palestinians.

JUNE 5, 2026ByDAN PERRY

The aftermath of Hamas's Nova music festival massacre in Re'im, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023. Picture taken November 2, 2023

My Word: Israel and Lebanon's war of attrition drones on - opinion

As drone warfare evolves, Israel confronts a familiar conflict with new and more complex threats.

JUNE 5, 2026ByLIAT COLLINS

An explosive drone launched by Hezbollah is seen near the Israeli border with Lebanon during a Hezbollah attack in northern Israel, May 19, 2026; illustrative.

Hamas using power vacuum to regain control of Gaza, security establishment fears

An official explained that a major problem has arisen due to on-the-ground dynamics. "Hamas is dragging its feet, and the US is finding it difficult to apply leverage on it," he noted.

JUNE 5, 2026ByAMIR BOHBOT

Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025.

Two IDF officers severely wounded in Lebanon, US denies Iran fired at US Navy ships in Gulf of Oman

Israel to continue Lebanon operations • Trump does not 'need deal' to reach Iran's uranium, he says • Netanyahu backs GOP plan to phase out US military aid to Israel

JUNE 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Memorial Amphitheater during a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, May 25, 2026.

IDF, Shin Bet kill several Hamas General Security Apparatus officials in Gaza

The General Security Apparatus' responsibilities include maintaining communication and coordination between Hamas leaders, protecting them, and escorting them to emergency facilities.

JUNE 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS